Travel Guide Vigan, Ilocos Sur: UNESCO World Heritage Site

Vigan, capital city of Ilocos Sur, unknown to many, is an island detached from the main island of Luzon by three rivers: Abra River, the Mestizo River and the Govantes River. It's an old trading post in pre-colonial sites that dates as far back as China's Sung Dynasty where Chinese junks rule the sea lanes before the arrival of Spanish galleons.

The city is the most preserved example of a Spanish colonial town in Asia, with its cobblestone streets and a unique architecture showcasing fusion of Asian building design and construction with European colonial architecture and planning. This has earned listing as a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Calle Crisologo, Vigan's main street with nostalgic cobblestone
key to preservation of the place is a strict building code that even modern restaurants need to adhere to



Places of Interest in Vigan, Ilocos Sur:

here's a list of places to see in Vigan:

St. Paul’s Metropolitan Cathedral (Vigan Cathedral)- an earthquake baroque style church built in 1574
Syquia Mansion Museum the the ancestral home / museum of a former president of the Philippines Elpidio Quirino (entrace fee: P10)
Padre Burgos Museum
Nueva Segovia Museum
Pottery Making (Burnay) Pagburnayan where traditional Vigan jars, called burnay, are made.
Baluarte home and mini-zoo of Chavit Singson (a tricycle ride away from Vigan city center. no entrance fee)

Vigan Delicacies and Pasalubong:
Vigan empanada, vigan royal bibingka, tinubong, sinanglao, vigan longganiza


How to get to Vigan, Ilocos Sur:

Commute by Bus to Vigan is easy via Philippine Rabbit Bus Line, Dominion Bus Corp., Partas Trans. Co.

Baguio to Vigan by bus travel time is around 3 hours

Driving Directions to Vigan, Ilocos Sur:

follow this route: NLEX, SCTEX, then follow highway up to Vigan, it's just a straight drive

Updated: April 2013